Patents by Inventor Bryant A. Campbell, deceased
Bryant A. Campbell, deceased has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 5650693Abstract: An apparatus for plasma sterilization of articles is provided that comprises a plasma generator and a sterilizing chamber. The plasma generator has an inlet for receiving a premixed gas mixture from a pressurized source. The pressurized gas mixture source is a single container (or multiple containers with the same contents), having a noble gas and further having a non-flammable mixture of hydrogen and oxygen.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 1995Date of Patent: July 22, 1997Assignee: Abtox, Inc.Inventors: Bryant A. Campbell, deceased, Kern A. Moulton, Jim Fisher
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Patent number: 5645796Abstract: A process for plasma sterilization in which articles in a sterilizing chamber are taken through at least one combination sterilizing cycle. The articles to be sterilized may include the interior of a vessel or chamber. In that case, the vessel or chamber itself may serve as a sterilizing chamber and connects to the plasma generating chamber. Each combination sterilizing cycle includes a pulsed treatment with gaseous antimicrobial agent, removal of the gaseous antimicrobial agent, and a plasma treatment. The pulsed treatment includes one or more pulse-vacuum cycles, each pulse-vacuum cycle includes the steps of evacuating the sterilizing chamber and exposing the article to the gaseous antimicrobial agent with a predetermined pressure profile during a predetermined time. The gaseous antimicrobial agent is preferably carried in a gas mixture with a nonreactive carrier gas. In one embodiment, the predetermined pressure is pulsed. In another embodiment, it is ramped.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 1995Date of Patent: July 8, 1997Assignee: Abtox, Inc.Inventors: Ross A. Caputo, Thomas J. Amsler, Kangyan Du, Jeffery Jones, Kern A. Moulton, Bryant A. Campbell, deceased
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Patent number: 5593649Abstract: A canister is provided that is adapted for use in a plasma induced sterilization process. The canister contains a gas mixture that is pressurized to between about 2200 psig to about 2500 psig. The gas mixture has about 2.0 to 2.4 (v/v) percent hydrogen and about 2.6 to 3.0 (v/v) percent oxygen, and the rest of the gas mixture is noble gas or a mixture of noble gases.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 1995Date of Patent: January 14, 1997Assignee: Abtox, Inc.Inventors: Jim Fisher, Bryant A. Campbell, deceased, Kern A. Moulton
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Patent number: 5472664Abstract: A method for plasma sterilization comprises exposing an article to be sterilized to a neutral active species of a plasma generated from a premixed gas mixture comprising oxygen, hydrogen, and a noble gas. The exposure of the article to the plasma is carried out at reduced pressures and a chamber temperature of less than 63.degree. C. for a time period sufficient to effect sterilization. The apparatus for plasma sterilization of articles comprises a plasma generator, a sterilizing chamber, and a source of pressurized gas mixture in fluid communication with the plasma generator. The source of pressurized gas mixture has a noble gas and a substantially nonflammable mixture of hydrogen and oxygen, which is preferably between about 2.0 to 2.4 (v/v) percent hydrogen and between 2.6 to 3.0 (v/v) percent oxygen.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 1994Date of Patent: December 5, 1995Assignee: Abtox, Inc.Inventors: Bryant A. Campbell, deceased, Kern A. Moulton, Jim Fisher
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Patent number: 5413760Abstract: A plasma sterilizer and method employ essentially uncharged, highly reactive free radicals, atoms and excited molecules of a gas mixture to sterilize articles. The gas mixture includes oxidizing and/or reducing agents and is ionized into a plasma having ionization products that include highly destructive components in the form of charged particles and ultra-violet radiation. A plasma distribution device blocks the ultra-violet radiation and facilitates the recombination of the charged particles such that essentially uncharged, highly reactive free radicals, atoms and excited molecules of the gas mixture are delivered to the articles.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 1992Date of Patent: May 9, 1995Assignee: Abtox, Inc.Inventors: Bryant A. Campbell, deceased, Kern A. Moulton
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Patent number: 5413758Abstract: A process and equipment for plasma sterilization in which articles in a sterilizing chamber are taken through at least one combination sterilizing cycle. The articles to be sterilized may include the interior of a vessel or chamber. In that case, the vessel or chamber itself may serve as a sterilizing chamber and connects to the plasma generating chamber. Each combination sterilizing cycle includes a pulsed treatment with gaseous antimicrobial agent, removal of the gaseous antimicrobial agent, and a plasma treatment. The pulsed treatment includes one or more pulse-vacuum cycles, each pulse-vacuum cycle includes the steps of evacuating the sterilizing chamber and exposing the article to the gaseous antimicrobial agent with a predetermined pressure profile during a predetermined time. The gaseous antimicrobial agent is preferably carried in a gas mixture with a nonreactive carrier gas. In one embodiment, the predetermined pressure is pulsed. In another embodiment, it is ramped.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 1993Date of Patent: May 9, 1995Assignee: Abtox, Inc.Inventors: Ross A. Caputo, Jeffrey Jones, Kern A. Moulton, Bryant A. Campbell, deceased
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Patent number: 5325020Abstract: An apparatus for plasma sterilization includes a sterilization chamber and at least one microwave plasma generator for producing gas plasma products communicating therewith. The microwave plasma generator comprises a cylindrical metal waveguide and an axially concentric antenna extending into the waveguide. The plasma generator includes an inner plasma container made of a electromagnetic transparent material.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 1992Date of Patent: June 28, 1994Assignee: AbTox, Inc.Inventors: Bryant A. Campbell, deceased, Vincent Formanek
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Patent number: 5288460Abstract: A method for plasma sterilization within a controlled temperature range includes exposing the interior of a chamber and any articles therein to a gas plasma flowing from a plasma generating chamber until the temperature in the chamber rises to a preselected maximum temperature. The flow of the plasma gas to the chamber is terminated when the temperature in the chamber falls to a temperature below the preselected maximum temperature. These steps are repeated until sterilization of the interior of the chamber or any articles therein is effected. The temperature below the preselected maximum temperature when gas plasma flow is again initiated is preferably not more than 3.degree. C. below the preselected maximum temperature. The gas plasma can be generated from a gas mixture that includes oxidizing and/or reducing agents. Preferably the pressure in the sterilizing chamber rises to from 0.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 1992Date of Patent: February 22, 1994Assignee: Abtox, Inc.Inventors: Ross A. Caputo, Jeffrey Jones, Kern A. Moulton, Bryant A. Campbell, deceased
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Patent number: 5244629Abstract: A process for plasma sterilization including exposing an article in a sterilizing chamber to at least one combination sterilizing cycle. Each combination sterilizing cycle includes a pulsed treatment with gaseous antimicrobial agent, removal of the gaseous antimicrobial agent, and a plasma treatment. The pulsed treatment includes one or more pulse-vacuum cycles, each pulse-vacuum cycle includes the steps of evacuating the sterilizing chamber and exposing the article to the gaseous antimicrobial agent with a predetermined pressure profile during a predetermined time. The gaseous antimicrobial agent is preferably carried in a gas mixture with a nonreactive carrier gas. In one embodiment, the predetermined pressure is pulsed. In another embodiment, it is ramped. After the pulsed treatment, the antimicrobial agent is removed by evacuating the sterilizing chamber. The plasma treatment includes exposing the article to a plasma having essentially uncharged, highly reactive free radicals and atoms.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 1991Date of Patent: September 14, 1993Inventors: Ross A. Caputo, Kern A. Moulton, Bryant A. Campbell, deceased, by Louise A. Campbell, legal representative